You Paid WHAT? For a Pound of Rice?

Have you considered the price of small boxes of rice mix? I saw a Sysco truck making a delivery of a pallet of rice to a church right by my office. I went over and asked the Pastor what they were doing with all the rice, and he said they were about to feed 600 people down at the George R Brown Convention center.

I’m so glad I saw this, because it caused me to remember the days of buying 25 pound bags of rice for my family. Why did I stop doing that? Time? Convenience? At what cost?

Since beginning to coupon 10 months ago, I have purchased items that I normally would not have purchased. Coupon or not.  Namely, the lovely little conveniently packaged flavored rice.

So I have decided to go back to my big ole bag o’ rice and do a few calculations to help me find the ere of my ways.
Let’s do a quick calculation:
25 pound bag of rice:   $7.00 that comes to $.28 per pound or $.0175 per ounce.

Most boxes of flavored rice contain about 4oz. Of rice and 1oz. of flavoring. You end up paying $.25 per ounce for $.07 worth of rice in every box.

At 16 oz. in a pound, that is $4 per pound!!
In general, these boxes cost about a $1 to $1.50 each.

Lets stick with the $1 mark to keep it all flowing nicely.

The inflated price you are paying for your lovely little package of rice ends up being almost 142% mark up.

Now what about the yummy flavor you ask?

If you purchase Knorr Bouillon, Granulated, Chicken Flavored, 35.3-Ounce Jar at the cost of around $9.00. It has about 250 of servings.  That is $.03 per serving.

Now simple mathematics tells me that $.07 + $.03 = $.10 per serving of your very own flavored rice.

Unless you are getting this little goodie for free, you should really consider foregoing the box of flavored rice and make it yourself.  It will be time well spent.  Remember, the easiest way to save money is not to spend it!

 

Free Advice From the Blogosphere

Things I’ve learned in the Blogosphere!

While perusing the Blogosphere today, I came across Neil otherwise known as Interacter.  He helped me earlier in the day with some questions, so I decided to see what else I could learn from him. You are never too old for an education after all.

Well, lo and behold the man has a manifesto.  At first I thought, there is no way I am going to sit here and read this mans manifesto, it’s like 2 pages long.  But after the first few lines, I couldn’t stop.  In fact, I have now been inspired to write my own.  I think I will have my children write theirs as well and like his, it will be ongoing for years to come.  Thanks Neil, you have been a true inspiration.

Here is a quick excerpt from number 4 on Neils manifesto:

4) Be Prepared to Fail

Failure: such a pejorative word. In fact, failing is one of the best things that you can do (short of winning a Nobel Prize). Not only is being perfect all the time boring, but it starts to shut down possibilities because you never try anything else.

If you don’t fail, you’ll never learn from mistakes. And mistakes are interesting.

I know this doesn’t have anything to do with couponing, but it does have something to do with saving money.  If you prepare and plan for your future, you can anticipate potential financial curve balls that may be headed your way.  Preparation time is never wasted time, in any situation.  Let’s learn from Neil, and write down where we have been, and where we see ourselves going.  Then we can start to create the road map that will get us there.

Happy couponing…and stay in the Zone!

 

Cooking Dinner Straight From the Pantry (day 3)

As you may have noticed, I did not post about dinner last night. I was at my very part-time job, so my honey ordered pizza for the kids.  So tonight I am back on track!

I decided to thaw out a 5# chuck roast yesterday before I left for work.  I set it in the fridge, and rediscovered it this morning.  When I pulled it out of the fridge, the harsh reality hit me, that I have NO IDEA how to prepare and cook this meat.  So, I asked my good friend and chef, Fiona Layton to hook me up with a recipe.  She is super fabulous, and sent me to her Group Recipes site.  You can find her page HERE.

So what’s on the menu??

Main dish: Herb-Crusted Chuck Roast

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried savory
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
• 1 (3 pound) boneless chuck eye or top blade
• SAUCE:
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Rub over entire roast. Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees F for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until meat is tender and reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a meat thermometer should read 145 degrees F; medium, 160 degrees F; well-done, 170 degrees F). Let stand 10 minutes before carving.
2. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the sauce ingredients. Serve with the roast.

Side dish: Maple Dill Carrots

Ingredients

3 cups peeled and sliced carrots
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1.    Place carrots in a skillet and pour in just enough water to cover.
2.    Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3.    Simmer until water has evaporated and the carrots are tender.
4.    Stir in butter, brown sugar, dill, salt and pepper.

I just found one more side dish I want to add. Pineapple Fried Rice!  It looks amazing.

Desert: Stuffed Strawberries!!  You can find the recipe HERE.

Dinner should be wonderful tonight. I hope my family enjoys it!  I will post pictures after I prepare it all!

 

How to Get a Free QR Code

Scan me to go directly to the QR Generator Page

You see them every where now, from your pizza box to your direct mail piece. You click on one, and it takes you to a video describing your anticipated experience of the item you are curious about. It feels almost like we are in the days of Star Trek sometimes. “Hey, Spock, scan that rock and tell me what kind it is?” Well, we can do that now with apps like Google Goggles, but that’s not what I am talking about today. I’m talking about the cute little QR codes that teach us all about the products they are stuck on.

Yesterday I was on a mission to create a really cool marketing piece for my girlfriends company, something they could hand out and let it tell the story. Every one in their office said it needed to be very, very clean. So what I needed was a way to tell the story without really saying a word in print. That’s when I started looking for how to create a QR code. My research brought me to QR Stuff. I was able to link the company’s web site to the QR code it created for me, within seconds. I pasted it into the handout I had created, and the office loved it!  Best of all, it was totally free.

Here is an idea, rather than sending out the same old boring Christmas card this year, with the ugly sweaters that everyone sticks in a drawer or box, send them a Talking Christmas Card. Do a 2 minute video of what’s been going on with the family throughout the year, show Janie’s missing tooth, and Ryan’s baseball trophy. Save the video to a QR code, and have it put on a sticker or the card itself. I bet your rival Sister-in-Law will be puddling to the floor in sheer dismay when she receives it in the mail.

Well, have fun creating your own QR code…I have now created one for just about everything you can imagine!!

Here is one to my blog.  Just use your QR scanner on your smart phone and click away!   Well, I hope you enjoyed the blog, I enjoyed writing it for you.  Try not to get too sidetracked making QR codes for everything.  Have an incredible day and…stay in the ZONE!

 

Pampers Swaddlers as Low as $3.75!

Attention All Mommy’s!

Amazon has a fabulous deal on diapers.  There is no charge for shipping on this item!

Grab them while they are hot! (clean and fresh…not all stinky)

Pampers Swaddlers Newborn 240 Diapers (12 packs of 20)

 

Duncan Hines Cake Mix $.20 at Randalls

Check it out, if you use your Duncan Hines Cake Mix coupon for $.35/1 from 2/5/12 SS, then you can get your cake mix from Randalls for $.20! That is a 90% savings off their normal $1.25 per box price.

Thank you for taking the time to visit The Katy Coupon Zone, blogged from Katy, TX a.k.a…God’s Country!

Happy couponing and…stay in the Zone!!

 

Free Sample of Gud Body Lotion

Visit the ALL YOU website. It will take you to the Gud facebook page..

Free sample: Get a free sample of Güd™ Body Lotion

How to get it: To request yours, “Like” Güd on Facebook and then fill out a short form.

Thank you for taking the time to visit The Katy Coupon Zone, blogged from Katy, TX a.k.a…God’s Country!

Happy couponing and…stay in the Zone!!

 

Enter for a Chance to Win Pizza for a Year!

Submit your photo and help us build the Freschetta Pizza Rally Mosaic. Submissions between February 27 and March 30, 2012, will have a chance to win Freschetta Pizza Coupons or pizza for a year.

Sweeps Rating: Good

Eligibility: open only to persons legally residing in United States or the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen 18 years of age on the date of entry in this Sweepstakes.

How to Enter: visit www.facebook.com/FreschettaPizza and submit a photo to the mosaic as instructed to be eligible. Photographs should be at least 640×480 pixels. The following photo formats are acceptable: jpg, tiff or bmp.

How to Submit a Photo: visit the link above and then Scroll down and click Learn More under Rally Mosaic and on the next page will be a button to “Join the Rally”

Entry Limit: one entry per person per day.

Entry Dates: begins on February 27, 2012 and ends March 30, 2012 at 11:59:59 AM ET

• Entry Period One: 2/27/12-3/2/12
• Entry Period Two: 3/3/12-3/9/12
• Entry Period Three: 3/10/12-3/16/12
• Entry Period Four: 3/17/12-3/2312
• Entry Period Five: 3/24/12-3/30/12
• Entry Period Six: 2/27/12-3/30/12 (Grand Prize)

Five Hundred (500) Prizes (100 per entry period): 5 Freschetta Pizza Coupons ARV: $35

Ten (10) Grand: Pizza for a Year (26 Freschetta® Pizza Coupons) ARV: $182

Entries received for Entry Periods 1-5 will NOT rollover for subsequent weekly drawings, but will be eligible for the Grand Prize drawing in Entry Period 6. If an entrant wins one of the prizes in any of the 1-5 Entry Periods, an entrant is still eligible to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing in Entry Period 6.

Prize Drawings: Sponsor will attempt to notify each potential Prize Winner via email within one (1) day of the prize drawing using the email address provided at time of entry.

Rules: http://www.rallymosaic.com/terms.html

Thank you for taking the time to visit The Katy Coupon Zone, blogged from Katy, TX a.k.a…God’s Country!

Happy couponing and…stay in the Zone!!

 

Sunday Coupon Preview for Sunday March 4, 2012

If you have ever wanted to do your own coupon matching, this is the best place to start. My friend, Kristy at Dreamzncolor has written a great explanation of how to get the most out of your coupons. Check her out, and let her know Patti from The Katy Coupon Zone said “hello”.

3-4 Target & Walmart Insert

Date: February 27th, 2012

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3-4 Target & Walmart coupon insert
Sunday coupon preview
Regional coupon inserts & value differences are to be expected!
(x) before coupon = multiple of same coupon
ETS = excludes trial sizes

Target Insert Coupons (Expire 4/30)

• Bounty Save $1/1 6pk+ paper towels
• Covergirl Save $.50/1 Covergirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 foundation, Blast Flipstick lip color or LashBlast 24hr mascara
• Crest Save $1/2 3D White toothpastes ETS
• Feminine Care
  • Save $1/3 Tampax or Always
• Gillette
  • Save $5 off both Fusion ProGlide Style razor and clear gel ETS
• Hair Care
  • Save $1/2 Herbal Essences, Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Natural Instincts or Nice ‘n Easy ETS
• Iams
  • Save $1/2 5lb+ dry dog or cat food
• Laundry Care
  • Save $1/2 Tide, Downy or bounce  ETS
• Metamucil Save $.75/2 fiber supplement items ETS
• Olay Save $1/1 Professional Pro-X or Regenerist
• Personal Care
  • Save $2/2 3pk+ Puffs, 9pk+ Charmin Ultra Strong or Ultra Soft or 40ct+ Charmin Freshmates wipes
• Prilosec OTC Save $.50/1 14ct heartburn relief tablets

Walmart Insert Only has 1 coupon:

• $3/1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide Styler (4/8) ETS

These coupons are from both the SmartSource and RedPlum circular for March 4th.  Coupon selection will vary by market, so this list is a guide, not a guarantee.  To view the coupons by source (Redplum or Smartsource).

For the best price matching tools around, visit Coupon Mom.

Item	Coupon Value
All Mighty Pacs or All Liquid Laundry Detergent 24 loads or larger	$1.00/1
Ball Park Angus product	$0.55/1
Ball Park products	$0.75/2
Baskin Robbins buy a cone and get one for $.99–RESTAURANT COUPON	–/0
Baskin Robbins Buy one Sundae, get one for $.99–RESTAURANT COUPON	–/0
Baskin Robbins save $3 on any cake priced $15 or more–RESTAURANT COUPON	$3.00/1
BC 18ct or larger	$1.00/1
Bengay Zero Degrees Gel	$2.00/1
Bengay Zero Degrees Gel	$5.00/1
Birds Eye Steamfresh varieties	$1.00/3
Brawny Paper Towels 2 roll or larger packs	$1.00/2
Cesar Canine Cuisine Entrees buy 3 get 1 free (max value $1.19)	–/0
Cesar Dog Treats	$1.50/2
Colace Capsules any size	$2.00/1
Disney Gummy Vitamins  or Marvel Shapes Vitamins 60 ct or larger	$1.00/1
Dole Frozen Fruit Packages	$1.00/2
Dove Silky Smooth Egg Brands , M&Ms Easter Chocolate Candies, Mars Minis Mix variety bags, 3 Musketeers, Twix Minis, Snickers Minis, Milky Way Minis 7.94 oz or larger	$1.00/2
El Monterey Mexican Snacks Taquitos, Tamales, Mini Chimis or Quesadillas bag	$1.00/1
Emerald Breakfast on the Go  7.5 oz or larger	$1.00/1
Ester C Tablet or Powder	$2.00/1
Garnier Fructis  Style product (excludes trial size)	$1.00/1
Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner or Treatment (excludes trial size)	$1.00/1
Garnier HerbaShine Hair Color Creme	$3.00/1
Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color  Foam	$2.00/1
Goodys 16ct or larger	$1.00/1
Jimmy Dean Delights Sandwich or any two Jimmy Dean Delights Bowls	$1.00/1
Jimmy Dean Delights Sandwich or any two Jimmy Dean Delights Bowls	$1.00/2
Jose Ole brand item 16 oz or larger	$1.00/1
Kelloggs Cereals 10 oz or larger	$1.00/3
Kelloggs Pop Tarts 8ct or larger	$1.00/3
Kelloggs Pop Tarts Mini Crisps 6ct or larger	$1.00/2
Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash or Listerine  Zero Mouthwash 1 liter or larger	$0.50/1
Listerine Total Care Zero AntiCavity Mouthwash 1 liter or larger or any Listerine Total Care Anticavity Mouthwash 1 liter or larger or Listerine Total Care Plus Whitening 32 oz	$1.00/1
Logans Roadhouse save $3 on $10 or more food purchase–RESTAURANT COUPON	–/0
Logans Roadhouse save $5 on $20 or more food purchase–RESTAURANT COUPON	–/0
Loreal Face Cosmetic product (excludes Magic Perfecting Base 0.17 fl oz size)	$2.00/1
Loreal Skin Care standard size product (excludes trial size)	$1.00/1
M&Ms Easer Chocolate Candies, Mars Minis Mix variety bags, 3 Musketeers, Twix Minis, Snickers Minis, Milky Way Minis , Dove Silky Smooth Egg Brands 7.94 oz or larger	$1.00/2
Mars Easter Minis Mix variety bags, M&Ms Chocolate Candies,  3 Musketeers, Twix Minis, Snickers Minis, Milky Way Minis , Dove Silky Smooth Egg Brands 7.94 oz or larger	$1.00/2
Marvel Shapes Vitamins or Disney Gummy Vitamins 60 ct or larger	$1.00/1
Maybelline New York Mascara	$1.00/1
Natures Bounty Probiotic Supplement	$2.00/1
Natures Bounty Vitamin or Supplement	$1.00/1
On Cor Family Size Entrees	$1.00/2
Osteo Bi Flex caplet, softgel or powder (excludes liquids)	$5.00/1
Pedigree Dry Food for Dogs 3.5lbs or larger	$1.00/1
Pedigree Little Champions Pouch Variety Packs 8 or 12ct or 6 single Pouches or Pedigree Food For Dogs 13. 2oz cans	$1.00/1
Pedigree Little Champions Pouch Variety Packs 8 or 12ct or 6 single Pouches or Pedigree Food For Dogs 13. 2oz cans	$1.00/6
Pedigree Treats for Dogs	$1.00/2
Perdue Simply Smart Chicken Product	$1.00/1
Reach Floss product any	$1.00/1
Reach Toothbrush (not valid on Reach Crystal Clean)	$1.00/1
Rosina Meatballs	$0.75/1
Snuggle Fabric Softener Liquid or Dryer Sheets	$0.50/1
Sweet Tomatoes –8 coupon offers –expire 4/7- 4/28–RESTAURANT COUPON	–/0
Temptations Treats for Cats	$0.50/1
Whiskas Dry Food for Cats	$1.00/1
Whiskas Trays  any 6 or one Whiskas pouch multipack	$0.75/6
Whiskas Trays  any 6 or one Whiskas pouch multipack	$0.75/1
Zatarains New Orleans Style Frozen Entrees	$0.50/2
Zyrtec 24ct or larger	$5.00/1
Zyrtec 70ct or larger	$10.00/1
Baileys Coffee Creamers	$1.00/2
Ban Deodorant full size	$0.40/1
Ban Invisible Solid Deodorant full size	$0.75/1
Bausch & Lomb Ocuvite product	$5.00/1
Bertolli Pasta Sauce	$0.60/1
Biore Pore Strip , with purchase get a FREE Biore Cleanser (excludes trial size, up to $9)	–/0
Bissell  Stomp N Go	$1.00/1
Bissell Upright Deep Cleaning Formula (coupon valid 4/1-4/30)	$1.00/1
Bissell Upright Deep Cleaning Formula any size	$1.00/1
Boston Market 3 coupon offers—RESTAURANT COUPONS	–/0
Campbells Condensed Great for Cooking Soups	$0.30/4
Campbells Slow Kettle Style Soups	$1.00/2
Chuck E Cheese Family Fun–6 different Pizza & token combo coupons–RESTAURANT COUPON	–/0
Claritin any 24 ct or larger	$4.00/1
Claritin Childrens 4 oz or 10ct or larger	$2.00/1
Claritin D 15 ct or lager	$4.00/1
Curel Moisturizer 7.5 oz or larger	$1.00/1
Dannon Oikos Yogurt Cup 5.3 oz,b uy 1 get 1 free	–/0
Dentyne Gum Multi Pack or Bottle	$1.00/1
Dentyne Gum packs	$1.00/2
Dr Scholls For Her Insoles or Fast Flats	$3.00/1
Dr Scholls Massaging Gel Insoles	$3.00/1
Dr Scholls Odor X product any	$1.00/1
Dr Scholls Pain Relief Orthotics	$4.00/1
Dulcolax product  any	$3.00/2
Dulcolax product any	$1.00/1
Enfagrow or Enfamil  Large Size Baby Powder 22.2 oz or larger	$5.00/2
Enfamil or Enfagrow Large Size Baby Powder 22.2 oz or larger	$5.00/2
Freschetta Multi Serve Pizza	$1.50/2
General Mills Fiber One Cereal Original, Honey Clusters, Raisin Bran Clusters, Caramel Delight, Frosted Shredded Wheat or 80 Calorie	$0.75/1
GenTeal Lubricant, Eye Drops, Gel or Ointment	$1.00/1
Hills Science Dry Food , with purchase get 2 free cans (up to $4)	–/0
Jergens Moisturizers 4 oz or larger	$3.00/2
John Frieda Full Size  Root Awakening Hair Care products (excludes travel/trial size)	$3.00/2
John Frieda Full Size products (Full Repair, Frizz Ease, Luxurious Volume, Sheer Blonde, Brilliant Brunette, Radiant Red and Clear Shine Luminous Glaze (excludes trial size)	$2.00/1
John Frieda Precision Foam Colour product	$2.00/1
JointFlex Pain Relieving Cream 4 oz tube	$3.00/1
Land O Lakes Deli Cheese one lb or two packages	$1.00/1
Land O Lakes Deli Cheese one lb or two packages	$1.00/2
Louisiana Fish Fry Boil Breading items	$1.00/2
Marzetti Otria Greek Yogurt Veggie Dip	$0.50/1
Marzetti Simply Dressed Salad Dressing	$0.50/1
Mean Green Cleaner & Degreaser 32 oz or larger	$0.50/1
Mean Green Gallon Cleaner	$1.00/1
Nonnis Biscotti or Biscotti Bites	$1.00/2
PediaSure product	$3.00/2
Prevacid 24hr any	$3.00/1
Prevacid 42ct 24hr	$7.00/2
Resolve All Stains Laundry  Stain Remover	$1.00/1
Resolve Pre Treat product	$0.50/1
Revitalens OcuTec Multi Purpose Disinfecting Solution any size	$2.00/1
Sea Best Seafood product	$0.75/1
Selsun Blue product (excludes trial size)	$1.00/1
Smart Balance Buttery Sticks or Buttery Spreads	$1.00/2
Smart Balance Enhanced Milks Carton	$1.50/1
Tyson AnyTizers Snacks Bag	$1.00/1
Tyson AnyTizers Snacks Bag	$1.00/1
WhoNu Nutrition Rich Cookies	$0.55/1
Zaditor Eye Drops 5ml or larger	$1.00/1
Ziploc Brand Bags	$1.00/2
Ziploc Brand Containers	$1.00/2
Ziploc Brand Slider Bags	$1.00/2
Ziploc Brand Vacuum product or Zip N Steam Bags	$1.00/1

Thank you for taking the time to visit The Katy Coupon Zone, blogged from Katy, TX a.k.a…God’s Country!

Happy couponing and…stay in the Zone!!

 

Enter For a Chance to Win an Emergency Supply Kit

From KHOU 11 – back by popular demand! Register for a chance to win an emergency preparedness backpack so you can be ready for hurricane season.

Click HERE, fill out the form and enter for your chance to win!

Thank you for taking the time to visit The Katy Coupon Zone, blogged from Katy, TX a.k.a…God’s Country!

Happy couponing and…stay in the Zone!!