So I know that many of you have been wondering where in the world my Whip It Up Wednesday went last week. Honestly, it completely slipped my mind. But there is very good reason for it.

The bad news first. Here on Saving with Amy, there won’t be anymore Whip It Up Wednesday recipes shared. The good news? I have something else in the works that I think you might like instead. I can’t go into much detail, but I’m super excited and I think you will be too.

So definitely stay tuned. There is something special to come….

I wanted to bring something up to those of you who are new to couponing or just frugal shopping in general. Whenever you coupon, you start to pay closer attention to the details about sales and products and especially prices. For instance, today I visited a Walmart store that was only about 15 miles from my house. I normally go to the much closer store about 5 miles away. To my surprise, the prices at the store further away were more expensive. I found most items to be around $.25- $.50 more expensive. Not ALL of the items were this way, but most of what I was considering to buy were.

If you’re wondering, no I didn’t purchase anything there! I’ll wait to pick those items up at my store.

Now, about this thing they call a “sale”. At most stores, this will mean that they have priced a specific item lower than they carry it on a normal basis. It’s an advertising ploy to lure you into their store and get you to continue shopping there. They also want you to pick up other things that you happen to come across like products on display and other “specials” they may make attractive. I definitely encourage you to buy things on sale, this of course is a great time to buy especially in conjunction with coupons. However, I also suggest that you are cautious.

Hopping into Dollar Tree every now and then I came across Hormel Pepperoni slices. While pepperoni isn’t usually badly priced at most stores, I decided that $1 was a good price for that amount of pepperoni. Only to find out the following week that Save A Lot has the exact same Hormel Pepperoni Slices 2 for $1 at an everyday price. Score! So I grabbed it a couple times and have been quite happy with my discovery. Save A Lot’s newest ad (1/29- 2/11) has this on sale. Really? Better than $.50 each? No, they have upped the price to $1 each. This is clearly not a sale price, however most folks would not even consider that and buy it anyway because it’s part of the “sale”. I’ll keep you posted on if this goes back down to $.50 each after the sale is over. I’m very curious!

There was another instance of this recently when Walmart advertised Philadelphia Cream Cheese for $2.29 as a sale price. Here again, if you know cream cheese, then you know this is a terrible price. All of this is just a reminder to keep your eyes open for grocery store pricing pitfalls. They can get sneaky and you could be out more money than you think for something that should be cheaper.

Hi guys! It’s been a while since I’ve just stopped and said a few non-dealish words to you. I promise that I am a real person and not a deal-hunting drone. I just want to share with you that I have been so incredibly blessed with such amazing readers. I feel like I’ve gotten to know many of you because you’re quick to respond and comment and many times correct my mistakes! And believe me, don’t be afraid to do so. I’m only human and I lost my brain with my first pregnancy.

I thank you for sticking with my during my down times and my breaks. A little before having Miss Britton, I think that God was trying to tell me to slow it down. I was pushing to find every deal that I could and I didn’t want to let any of you down. I think that this began to take a toll on my family and I’m so grateful for the wake up call to understand what is really most important in my life. I’ve been given peace and somehow God has lead me to find a balance within my home life and my blogging life. There are days when I have to be reminded, but I’m feeling more comfortable about my direction now. There are still days when I don’t get to the computer until late in the evenings, but I’m so thankful to you guys for understanding.

This blog is my baby. I truly enjoy being able to share with others how to stretch their dollar and get more for less. I especially love seeing the light bulb go off when it all makes sense. In 2 and a half years, this blog has grown by leaps and bounds and it is incredible to even me how blessed that I am. In the meantime, I’ve also been doing some things that I love like cooking. I’ve always had a passion for cooking. It’s a trial and error kinda thing, but I really enjoy it. You didn’t hear this from me, but there may be something special in the works with that. Stay tuned.

So as we kick off 2012, I can’t wait to see where Saving with Amy goes this year. I’m still figuring out the schedule and how having two kids works during the day so you know what’s going on with me when I don’t get around to posting until bedtime. I’m pretty good about hopping on and off throughout the day. I do LOVE when you guys send me deals that I may have missed, that way I can share with the class. I appreciate that.

What about you? Do you have any requests for Saving with Amy this year? Thoughts? Feedback?

TAXES!

If found some interesting facts according to the newest issue (March) of ShopSmart Magazine about doing your taxes this year. I wasn’t aware of any of these changes, so I thought I’d share in case you hadn’t heard either. It’s good news! Well, sorta. It’s a result of inflation which means prices are going up, but so are our deductions and credits to make up.

• Each personal and dependent exemption is now $3,700 up $50 from 2010.
• Married couples filing jointly- the new standard deduction is $11,600 up $200 from 2010!
• New tax brackets- married couples filing jointly the taxable-income threshold separating the 15 percent bracket from the 25 percent bracket is $69,000 up from $68,000 in 2010.

So they aren’t life-changing changes, but might give you a slight bump this year when getting to those taxes! P.S.- I am NOT a tax professional and I can’t answer any questions about your taxes.

I LOVE ShopSmart Magazine. If you don’t subscribe to it yet, I highly recommend that you do! It’s a great resource for us frugal shoppers. They provide info with no reservations and hold nothing back. You can get a year subscription for $34.95 at Amazon. You can also get it at Magazines.com for $34.95 or shop through Ebates and get 26% cashback!

Just a quick reminder that today is the Frugal Resolutions Twitter Party with Coupon Network and a few fine frugal bloggers!

Join us HERE from 1-2 EST to chat about strategies and ideas about how to kick start 2012 saving your family money. Go ahead and follow us all on twitter and we’ll see you at 1:00 today! Oh and yeah and there WILL be prizes!

Rob Birgfeld (@couponnetwork) from Smart Living Blog
Melissa Carlisle (@MelStuffBlog) from MelissaStuff.com
Amy Edmiston (@SavingWithAmy), from SavingwithAmy.com
Jasmine Idely (@DealiciousFinds) from DealiciousFinds.com
Heidi Kennedy (@HCWHotflash) from HotCouponWorld.com
Jenny Martin (@SouthernSavers) from SouthernSavers.com

I just wanted to stop by and give you guys a heads up about a special event next week that you may want to check out! As you know I’m part of the Coupon Network Advisory Board. A few of us bloggers are teaming up with Coupon Network to celebrate and chat it up about the new year and our frugal resolutions.

Date: Thursday, January 12, 2012
Time: 1-2 pm EST (10 – 12 am PST)
Hashtag: #frugalresolutions

We’ll be discussing frugal living strategies and just chatting about ideas and motivations for having a money-saving year! Join me, Melissa of MelissaStuff.com, Jasmine of Dealicious Finds, and Jenny of Southern Savers, and of course the fabulous folks at Coupon Network to kick off the new year with great resolutions!

Go ahead and follow us all on twitter and we will see you there! More details can be found here.

Just a quick note that you may notice a little difference in the layout today. I had the featured post box removed due the fact that I just can’t keep up with that thing! I think I still had 2 month old posts listed on that thing.

Anywho, now it’s a bit easier to navigate there at the top. Hope you like it!

If you didn’t see my post over on the Saving with Amy facebook community, I just wanted to drop by and give you a quick message. You may have noticed less posts coming from me here lately. I’m taking some time off from the online world for a reality check and to spend time with my wonderful family. It’s so nice to do that every now and then! Clears your head for sure.

Anywho, just know that I’ll be back in the swing of things next week when we all head back to work and the new year has began. Speaking of the new year, be sure to get those resolutions made up! Let’s vow to save as much money as we can and to use coupons to the fullest this coming year! More on my resolutions later.

In the meantime, know that I am still around and will be back to it soon. Enjoy your week and weekend and here’s a to a fabulous 2012!

photo credit: michaelnugent

Today marks one of the most important days in history. It the day that our dear Jesus Christ was born! How joyous this must have been so many years ago. I shared with you last week What Christmas Means to Me. I hope that you’ll check that out if you haven’t yet.

I hope that you have the most WONDERFUL Christmas Day today and laugh and sing and celebrate!

Merry Christmas to you and your family from the bottom of my heart.

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And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

- Luke 2: 7-11

Today is the very last day of the month of November people! How crazy is that? I know, I know. I say this each and every month, don’t I? Well it never fails to surprise me how fast each month goes by.

Many of the online coupon websites will remove and replace a lot of the coupons they offer. If they aren’t removed, they will reset. Because there is a print limit of 2 per computer, you can take advantage of this by printing the ones you want today and once they reset, you can print another 2 of the same coupon if they are still available!

So…head over to the following websites and print away!

• Coupons.com
• Redplum
• Smartsource
• Coupon Network

Can’t wait to see what they have in store for us for December! OMG its December already!

One of the biggest and best jobs that God has given me is my job as a mom. I have been absolutely blessed with two of the most precious girls on earth and I cherish the moments that I’m given with them. I created Mommy Moments to share with you some of these moments that make me laugh, cry, shout and experience what we call mommyhood.

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As a mom, I’m used to the “glamors” that come with it. With Addie I was a bit more scared of them than I am now with Britton. When you first have a child, you are like “Oh no! She spit up…get a burp cloth!” You wipe and pray that they don’t do it again. You quickly learn that yes, they will do it again. At least 3 more times and that you will change clothes at least twice a day.

Now that I’ve been blessed with my Britton, I’m learning what it’s like to be a second time mom. This time, it’s more like “what’s that smell?” Within minutes I’ve pin-pointed exactly where the smell is coming from. And sadly half the time it’s actually from me and my spit up covered shirt. I don’t think that I’ve ever really lost that pregnancy sense of heightened smell. When there’s a blowout diaper, no matter how much I try, I still smell poop the entire rest of the day. So by the time my husband comes home from work, I smell real nice let me tell you!

My newest mom smell to sport is sweet potatoes. They don’t smell quite as bad as poop, but still aren’t appealing. Even though I spend most days smelling like 1 of 3 smells, I’m learning it’s alright. I have an excuse and if you don’t like it, then tough boogers. Those are whole other story with my 4 year-old, but we won’t go there today.

I wouldn’t trade a single minute of it. I love being a mom and always will- poop and all.

photo credit: Dinner Series

Today is a day of family and thankfulness. While Thanksgiving started with the feast in 1621 at Plymouth, it was proclaimed an official holiday by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. I read over the proclamation the other day and wanted to share an excerpt with you.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

So while we’re all enjoying our turkey and preparing our Black Friday shopping trip (;)), let us thank Him for all He has blessed us with. I am very thankful for each and every one of YOU who read this blog each day. Without you, I’d just be a crazy person with coupons and a computer!

So from the bottom of my heart, Happy Thanksgiving y’all!

photo credit: jelene

Here are a few things that you may not know about Thanksgiving and turkeys!

Did you know….

• Thanksgiving Day is observed by 5 different countries on 5 different days? Canada, Puerto Rico, Norfolk Island, Liberia and the US all celebrate Thanksgiving.
• Mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies, corn on the cob, and cranberries were not foods present on the first Thanksgiving’s feast table.
• The Pilgrims didn’t use forks.
• Each year, the average American eats between 16 – 18 pounds of turkey.
• Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the US.
• Turkey has got more protein than chicken or beef.

I’m slowing getting all the Saving with Amy features together. I want to make it easy for you guys to not only find the deals here on Saving with Amy, but to share them with others in case I miss them. If I could clone myself, I would. Believe me, I would have ALL of the deals covered. But because I am only human, I’d love your help if you come across a deal!

Scroll down to the bottom of Saving with Amy. You’ll find a drop-down menu labeled “Submissions”. Click on Submit A Deal and fill out the contact form located there to easily tell me about the deal you found so that I can share it with the class! I’ll give you the credit of course. Just make sure to be as detailed as possible.

Please note- I can’t post all of the deals that are submitted, but I will do my best.

I have been waiting on this day for months. Its a day when I (and mothers with 5 month-olds everywhere) get back at least one hour that it lost in the night waking up for those feedings. Can you tell I’m excited? What’s even better? That’s hubby’s night to wake up with Britton!

Anywho, all that to say this- set your clocks BACK one hour tonight. Enjoy you extra hour!

Round 1 of voting in the Cheap Sally Bring Home the Bacon Contest ends TODAY! Will you take a minute and vote to give me one last push! Go HERE to vote!

I’ve fallen down to number 3 in the state, but thankfully I only have to be in the top 5. THANK YOU to everyone who has voted and your continued support!

I have exciting news! I am a member of the new Coupon Network Advisory Board! Its the very first formal organization compiled of the biggest names in couponing best practice! And let me tell you, I am absolutely ecstatic to be included with the amazing folks on this board. They are ALL so wonderful! You will just have to stop by and check it out for yourself to see who else is a member..I’m too busy studdering right now.

I will do my very best to represent well! I’m a huge fan of CouponNetwork to begin with because of their amazing savings, first with catalinas, and now with coupons! So to be a part of this team is so special.

And as a first official act as a member, I’d like to share with you an awesome contest at Coupon Network! Drop by the Coupon Network facebook page and “like” them. Enter to win $500 gift card to spend on crafts by entering your Boo On A Budget Costume! The winner will also receive $500 towards the charity of their choice. I know that many of you are very creative with crafts AND money so put them to the test with this awesome contest!

The Cheap Sally Bring Home the Bacon Contest is still in full swing and its a close race! I’m trying to get into the top 5 in the state of Tennessee and if you have a minute will you vote for me? Pretty please with a great BIG cherry on top?

You can vote HERE.

And here’s a video of me and my girls begging sweetly

Of course you do! Saving with Amy has gotten a facelift! I’m very excited about the new site, isn’t it wonderful? Take a minute and take a look around. There are some cool navigation menus at the top you might want to check out. Wonder what those little rings are on the left side? Think of this site as my little coupon binder! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I have a tutorial coming with more information. PLUS- I have another surprise coming as well!

So take a gander at everything and tell me what you think!

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Are you using Internet Explorer 8? You may still see some wonky things out of place, but have no fear it will be updated shortly and things will be back in their place. If you have version 9, it should be working properly for you. As well as with most other browsers.

I’ve been meaning to post this run for a few days now, but with the sickness that has struck our household, its just been impossible! So here we are. These deals are good through tonight at Publix.

Here’s what I got:

(2) Stouffer’s Family Size Entrees $3.99
- Used $1/1 and $1.50/1 Target q- Final Price= $1.49 each
(6) Snackwells Snacks $1.60
- Used $.75/1- Final Price= $.85 each
(3) Hamburger Helpers $.82
- Used $.75/3- Final Price= $.56 each
(2) Quaker Cap ‘N Crunch Cereals $2.45
- Used $1/2- Final Price= $1.94 each
(2) Fruit2O 6-Packs $1.49
- Used $.55/1- Final Price= $.94 each
(4) Pace Salsa $1.40
- Used $.50/2- Final Price= $.89 each
(1) Carefree Pantiliners $.75
- Used $.50/1- Final Price= FREE + $.25 overage
(8) Carnation Evaporated Milk Cans $.75
- Used $.50/2- Final Price= $.24 each
(2) Campbell’s Select Harvest Soups $1.25
- Used $.50/2- Final Price= $.75 each
(8) Ragu Pasta Sauce $1.10
- Used $.40/2- Final Price= $.69 each

Saved: $76.10
OOP: $32.14
Savings of 70.3%

Its not my best savings, but I was really glad to stock up on the Snackwells and Ragu!

Did you take advantage of the Publix deals this week? How did you make out?